An ad-hoc inter-ministerial committee has been set up in Saudi Arabia to address the issue of underage marriage of both Saudi and non-Saudi girls living in the Kingdom.
Part of the proposed requirements put forth by the committee include presenting medical reports, getting the consent of the girl and mother in the case of under 18 marriages, and ensuring that marriage contracts are signed and sanctified in a court of law and not through marriage officiators.
According to Saudi Gazette, the committee specified that when “a court receives a request to sanctify marriage of a minor, the judge must make sure that the request is submitted by the future bride or her legal guardian with her consent. The judge must communicate with the girl directly to make sure of her consent. The judge then will hear out the mother of the bride and make sure the marriage will not jeopardize her life in any way.”
The committee stipulated that the marriage application should include medical reports from state doctors and experts to ensure the physical, emotional, and mental state of the girl. In addition, a social expert designated by the court should provide a report about the psychological compatibility of the two future spouses.
The regulations recommended by the committee also require the judge to order the girl to join a program offering psychological training and knowledge that aims to prepare them for the responsibilities of married life.
With regards to recommendations on how to disseminate information regarding the new regulations, the committee called on the Ministry of Labor and Social Development to update its online marriage service.
It requested that the Ministry of Culture and Information use the media outlets to promote public awareness about the negative social and psychological effects of early marriage.
And it recommended that the Ministry of Islamic Affairs encourage imams and preachers to talk about the issue of minors getting married in their sermons, to inform parents about the importance of empowering their daughters and to highlight the importance of their child’s consent in getting married.
